Strong thunderstorms roll through Maine

PORTLAND – A strong thunderstorm that dropped quarter-size hail in Windham, Standish and Gorham pelted commuters heading home from Portland about 5 p.m.

The National Weather Service received reports of pea-sized hail and heavy downpours in Portland, said meteorologist Margaret Curtis.

She said a line of thunderstorms rolled into the mountains this afternoon and the one that hit the Windham area and then Portland was the only one that survived to the coast. It moved off the coast, the rain ended, and some peeks of sun were seen shortly after 6 p.m.

The NWS issued three severe thunderstorm warnings for various parts of the state this afternoon, she said.

Scattered power outages were reported, with about 2,200 customers without electric service around 6 p.m., according to Central Maine Power Co. By 8 p.m., that number was down to 130, with 46 in York County, 33 in Oxford County, 32 in Cumberland County, 12 in Somerset County and 7 in Androscoggin County.

A CMP spokesman said the company hopes to have power restored to all its customers tonight.

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